Can You Do a Wheelie on a Hybrid Kawasaki? Sarah Lezito Answers
Innovation is what makes Kawasaki a powerhouse, right? We all know their racing bikes and street machines, but now they’re taking a futuristic turn with their hybrid model. The burning question for bikers: can you pull off a classic wheeling on a Kawasaki hybrid? It’s a quirky challenge, but you’ve got to wonder! Can this fusion of gas and electric power launch a bike like a true stunt machine? Sarah Lezito put it to the test. And honestly, her conclusion is worth checking out.
Kawasaki and the Hybrid: A World First
Kawasaki made a bold move as the first manufacturer to introduce hybrid motorcycles. Yes, you read that right: a blend of gas and electric in one machine. A world first, no less! It might be the bike of the future, but isn’t it just another motorcycle at its core? They’ve rolled out two hybrid models: the Z7 Hybrid and the Ninja 7 Hybrid. So why this hybrid technology? It seems Kawasaki is eyeing a greener future while still promising performance. But, of course, there’s a price for all that…
Not So Accessible Machine
The infamous Z7 Hybrid, you’ve probably heard about it. But at €13,159, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. Sure, for the price, you’re getting a 451cc twin-cylinder engine with a boost mode that combines gas and electric power. But the catch is, at this price point, the motorcycle isn’t as enticing as one might hope. The design is alright, but the bulk of the hybrid engine disrupts the silhouette’s harmony. Not to mention the gearbox, which is far from smooth. The result? Despite the tech appeal, sales haven’t soared: 98 Ninja 7s and 32 Z7s sold in 2024. So, while Kawasaki might have been a pioneer, the first attempt leaves much to be desired.
Sarah Lezito: Wheeling Test with the Z7 Hybrid
Sarah Lezito, she’s pretty much the go-to guru for stunts and wheelings. A total pro, pulling off jaw-dropping tricks like it’s nothing. So, naturally, when she tried to do a wheeling on the Z7 Hybrid, we thought, “If Sarah can’t do it, we should just skip the idea!” Well, even she struggled. With its boost mode offering 69 hp and 6.2 kgm of torque, you’d think it could handle it. But after several tries in her video “Can I Lift All The KAWAs?”, disappointment set in: the Z7 just won’t go up. It’s a bust. Even Sarah, the queen of wheelies, couldn’t make this hybrid lift. And that’s a statement. If she can’t do it, who could?
Why the Hybrid Kawasaki Won’t Lift Off
So, why can’t the Kawasaki Z7 Hybrid pop a wheelie like a true stunt bike? To answer that, let’s dissect a few technical details. The Z7 Hybrid simply isn’t built for it. Even if the hybrid engine performs well, the bike remains a tad front-heavy with its bulky engine. It’s not a lightweight big roadster like the Z500, nor a sporty model like the ZX-10R, which are far more responsive for such maneuvers.
And then there’s the gearbox, shall we say? It’s nowhere near a super-pleasant manual gearbox. Even if you locked it in first, you wouldn’t have the smooth experience to nail a good wheeling. Really, it’s more of an overall design issue than a lack of power or torque. You need more than a hybrid bike with tech to do a wheeling; you need a design engineered for that purpose.
